Former SA premier Des Corcoran dead at 75

South Australian Premier Mike Rann has paid tribute to the former Labor premier Des Corcoran, who died on Saturday, aged 75.

Mr Corcoran, who served as a major in the Australian Army, died in Adelaide after a long battle with cancer.

He became premier in 1979 following the resignation of Don Dunstan, for whom he served as a deputy for more than a decade.

Mr Rann says it was a successful partnership.

"In fact, Don couldn't have done all the things that he achieved without the staunch backing of Des Corcoran as his deputy," Mr Rann said.

"The two were chalk and cheese but they were also of course, very much a historic partnership and a very successful one politically."

Mr Corcoran retired from politics in 1982 after serving two decades in the House of Assembly.

Mr Rann says Mr Corcoran will be sorely missed.

"I had the privilege of working as an advisor to Mr Corcoran when he was Premier in 1979, and he was someone who was bigger than life, someone who was respected from both sides of politics," Mr Rann said.

"Someone who, of course, hailed from the south-east of the State, but was beloved all round the State."